The morning air over the vampire palace was cold and heavy with mist.
From the tall windows of her chamber, Selena could see the massive courtyard below where soldiers were already training.
Steel clashed against steel.
Commands echoed across the stone walls.
The vampire warriors moved with unnatural speed and precision, their weapons flashing under the pale gray sky.
Selena leaned against the window frame, watching them carefully.
Her wolf stirred restlessly inside her.
Fight.
Move.
Hunt.
Since arriving at the vampire kingdom, she had spent too much time trapped inside palace walls.
Too many politics.
Too many whispers.
Too many nobles staring at her like she didn't belong.
Her fingers curled against the stone.
"I'm going insane."
A knock sounded at the door.
Selena turned.
"Come in."
The door opened and a young servant stepped inside, bowing slightly.
"My lady, the prince requests your presence in the lower courtyard."
Selena frowned.
"The training courtyard?"
"Yes, my lady."
That immediately caught her attention.
"Did he say why?"
"No, my lady."
Selena pushed away from the window.
"Fine."
If Adrian wanted to play games, she was more than ready.
The palace training grounds were enormous.
A wide circular arena sat in the center, surrounded by weapon racks, training dummies, and stone platforms where instructors watched over the soldiers.
Dozens of vampire warriors were already practicing combat techniques.
The moment Selena stepped into the courtyard, several heads turned.
Whispers followed immediately.
"The wolf…"
"That's her…"
"The Luna…"
Selena ignored them.
She walked straight toward the center of the arena where Adrian stood speaking with the captain of the royal guard.
The captain was a tall vampire with silver hair and sharp amber eyes.
He turned when Selena approached.
Adrian glanced at her.
"You're late."
Selena crossed her arms.
"You summoned me."
"Yes."
"Without explanation."
"That is correct."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You enjoy being mysterious, don't you?"
Adrian turned toward the captain.
"Captain Darius, this is Selena."
Darius studied her carefully.
"So the rumors are true."
Selena sighed.
"Depends on which rumors."
"That you defeated three royal guards in the court."
"They attacked me first."
Darius nodded slowly.
"Still impressive."
Adrian stepped slightly aside.
"Selena will begin training with the royal warriors."
Selena blinked.
"Excuse me?"
Darius raised an eyebrow.
"You didn't tell her?"
Adrian remained calm.
"No."
Selena stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
She gestured around the courtyard.
"You want me to train with vampires?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Adrian's voice remained steady.
"Because if you're going to survive here, you need to understand how we fight."
Selena scoffed.
"I've fought vampires before."
Darius stepped forward slightly.
"You've fought wild vampires."
"Rogue ones."
"Not trained royal warriors."
Selena looked around the courtyard again.
The soldiers had stopped their training to watch.
Curious.
Skeptical.
Some clearly amused.
Selena sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
She stepped into the center of the arena.
"Who's first?"
Several vampires chuckled quietly.
Darius folded his arms.
"Confidence."
"I like that."
He turned toward the soldiers.
"Victor."
A tall vampire warrior stepped forward.
He was broad-shouldered, muscular, and carried a long training sword.
Victor grinned slightly when he saw Selena.
"No claws," he said.
Selena frowned.
"What?"
"Training rules."
He tossed her a wooden practice sword.
Selena caught it easily.
She examined the weapon.
"Wood?"
"Unless you prefer real steel."
Selena spun the sword once in her hand.
"It'll do."
Darius stepped back.
"Begin."
Victor attacked immediately.
His movements were fast.
Precise.
His sword cut through the air in a powerful downward strike.
Selena blocked it easily.
The impact echoed across the arena.
Victor's eyes widened slightly.
"You're strong."
Selena smirked.
"Thank you."
Victor attacked again.
Three rapid strikes.
Left.
Right.
High.
Selena blocked them all, but she noticed something immediately.
Vampire fighting style was different.
Very different.
They moved with controlled elegance.
No wasted motion.
Every attack flowed into the next.
Selena relied more on instinct and raw power.
Victor suddenly changed direction and swept her legs.
Selena barely jumped in time.
She landed lightly and counterattacked.
Her sword struck Victor's shoulder.
He stumbled back slightly.
The watching soldiers murmured.
Darius raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
Victor grinned now.
"Not bad, wolf."
Selena rolled her shoulders.
"Your turn to be impressed."
She attacked.
Fast.
Aggressive.
Her strikes came like a storm.
Victor blocked several, but Selena's power forced him backward.
The courtyard filled with the sound of wood clashing against wood.
Victor attempted another sweep.
Selena jumped over it and spun.
Her sword stopped inches from his throat.
Silence fell across the arena.
Victor froze.
Selena lowered the weapon slowly.
"You're good."
Victor laughed.
"So are you."
Darius stepped forward.
"Well done."
Selena tossed the practice sword back toward the weapon rack.
"Is that all?"
Adrian spoke from behind her.
"No."
Selena turned.
"Of course not."
Adrian stepped into the arena.
"The point wasn't to test your strength."
"Then what was it?"
"To show you your weaknesses."
Selena frowned.
"I didn't see any."
Adrian glanced toward Victor.
"Attack her again."
Victor nodded and picked up another practice sword.
Selena sighed.
"Seriously?"
Victor attacked again.
But this time Adrian spoke calmly while they fought.
"Your strength is impressive."
Selena blocked Victor's strike.
"Thanks."
"But your movements are predictable."
Victor suddenly shifted his stance and struck from an unexpected angle.
Selena barely blocked it.
Adrian continued.
"You rely too much on instinct."
Victor attacked again.
This time his blade struck Selena's shoulder lightly.
Point scored.
The watching soldiers murmured.
Selena stepped back.
Annoyed.
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"Your enemies will study you."
"They will learn your habits."
Victor attacked again.
Selena blocked the strike, but she was starting to understand.
Adrian wasn't mocking her.
He was teaching.
Victor attacked again.
Selena adjusted her stance.
She moved differently this time.
More controlled.
Victor's next strike missed.
Selena countered instantly.
Her blade tapped his chest.
Victor laughed.
"There it is."
The watching soldiers began whispering again.
This time with respect.
Darius nodded approvingly.
"She learns quickly."
Selena stepped away from the fight, breathing slightly heavier.
Adrian approached her.
"You see the difference?"
Selena wiped sweat from her forehead.
"Maybe."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"You are powerful."
"But power alone will not keep you alive in this palace."
Selena looked around the courtyard.
The soldiers were watching her differently now.
Less mocking.
More interested.
She turned back toward Adrian.
"You're turning me into a vampire warrior."
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
"I'm turning you into something far more dangerous."
Selena's eyes glowed faintly silver.
"And what's that?"
Adrian's crimson gaze met hers.
"A Luna who understands both wolves and vampires."
The words lingered in the cold air between them.
For the first time since arriving at the vampire kingdom…
Selena realized something important.
Adrian wasn't trying to control her.
He was preparing her.
For something much bigger than either of them had revealed yet.